The Aramean

"You crown the year with Your bounty; fatness is distilled in Your paths; the pasturelands distill it; the hills are girded with joy. The meadows are clothed with flocks, the valleys mantled with grain; they raise a shout, they break into song."

- Psalms 138:2

The overarching theme of Parashat Ki Tavo (Deut. 26:1–29:8)is simple Gratitude, engendered by presenting the First Fruits of the earth (Bikkurim) three times a year at the Holy Temple. Each individual stands, with the Kohen, bearing their basket, and making the declaration, “An Aramean sought to destroy my forefather, and he went down to Egypt…” The declaration continues, highlighting the miraculous events that eventually brought Israel to the Promised Land. The aforementioned Aramean is Jacob’s father-in-law, Laban whose trickery kept Jacob in servitude for 20 years, changing his wages ten times.

In Sefer HaYashar, a book referenced in Joshua 10:13 and 2nd Samuel 1:18, we learn how the treacherous Laban would cheat Jacob, enriching himself from the wealth that his son-in-law earned. Jacob decided that he no longer wanted to be in the employ of his father-in-law. He packed up his wives and children, then departed. Laban pursued them to Mount Gilead. After sorting things out, Laban was seemingly satisfied, making a pact with Jacob. But Sefer HaYashar tells the rest of the story: After Jacob's departure, Laban dispatched messengers to Esau, accusing Jacob of kidnapping his daughters and stealing his idols. That was the catalyst for the fateful meeting between the estranged brothers at the Jabbok River.

Abarbanel tells us Laban’s schemes caused feuds between the sons of Jacob which eventually led to the sale of Joseph and the family’s descent into Egypt.

In this parsha, Moses instructs Israel to write the Torah on large stones in clear script as they enter the Promised Land. Other nations plant their flag when claiming land for their leaders, the nation of Israel "planted the Torah, in God's name thus declaring that they are a Holy Nation with Him as their true king. By erecting the Torah-inscribed stones, Israel made the earth a witness to their establishment as a nation—not a religion. It was to be a nation governed solely by the Laws of the holy Torah, which will result in a remarkable destiny:

“And it will be if you obey the Lord, your God, to observe to fulfill all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord, your God, will place you supreme above all the nations of the earth.” - Deuteronomy 28:1

Ki Tavo closes with a lengthy and terrifying list of coming woes that will befall the Jewish People. Steve Rodan, a former contributor to the Jerusalem Post, now a blogger suggests that The worst aspect of these future events is the acute dread that the Jewish people still experience, surrounded by enemies and constant rocket attacks:

"In the morning you shall say, “If only it were evening!” and in the evening you shall say, “If only it were morning!”—because of what your heart shall dread and your eyes shall see." - Deuteronomy 28:67

Even so, the Creator’s four-lettered name which has the numerical value of 26, appears 26 times within Ki Tavo's catalogue of calamities—it’s a hint that HaShem never abandons his nation. Our commentary introduced the Aramean in the context of the Bikurim declaration which acknowledges that even in moments of challenge and difficulty, God's guiding hand is always present.

Although centuries of hardships came at the hands of schemers before and after Laban, God always turns the tables on those who wish to annihilate His nation. Never forgetting this, fosters humility and, most of all gratitude.

The Creator promises the Jewish People that keeping His Torah commands with joy leads to Israel being, "the highest of nations....granting praise, fame and glory.." The Haftara, in Isaiah 60, reveals a marvelous preview of how this will unfold. Rabbi Ovadiah Sforno states that these enormous blessings will give Israel the freedom to instruct humanity in the service of God--truly a kingdom of Kohanim.